"One of the most unique and remarkable wildlife experiences in the world is the annual migration of plains game such as the wildebeest, zebra and gazelle from the central plains of Serengeti, westwards or northwards towards the Masai Mara in search of water and pasture, and back again; this pattern seems to be repeated year after year like there is an in-built clock prompting the amazing phenomenon. As the herds move to new grazing ground, they are followed by predators such as lions, hyenas, jackal and hunting dogs waiting for weak prey while vultures soar overhead waiting for their share of the kill. By some estimates, the migration can involve over a million assorted wildlife representing about a quarter of the population found in the Serengeti."
The annual migration into Kenya (in a continuous search of water and pasture) of more than 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle is triggered by the rains and usually starts in May, at the end of the wet season. Called the Great Migration, this constitutes the most breathtaking event in the animal kingdom ever known to humans. As the dry season intensifies, the herds drift out towards the west, and to the north (to Lake Victoria, where there is permanent water), heading for the permanent waters of the northern rivers and the Mara. The migration instinct is so strong that animals die in the rivers as they dive from the banks into the raging waters only to be dispatched by crocodiles. The survivors concentrate in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve until the grazing there is exhausted, when they turn south along the eastern and final stage of the migration route.
Before the main exodus, the herds are a spectacular sight, massed in huge numbers with the weak and crippled at the tail end of the procession, followed by the patient vigilant predators, including lions (the adult males of Serengeti have characteristic black manes), cheetahs, hunting dogs and spotted hyena. The migration coincides with the breeding season, which also causes dominance fights among the male of the herd.
Ivory Photo Safaris - Movement Calendar
(Based on previous years. The migrating wildlife numbers can vary and be unpredictable.)
DECEMBER - MAY
 | Area: Around Ndutu and Naabi Hill |
| When the animals are gathered on the shortgrass plains south of the Serengeti around Ndutu and Naabi gate, dispersed and moving back and forth in search of water and fresh grass until the end of the long rains. During the rainy season, animals are in short grassplains. Migration is back and abundant wildlife can be seen. |
MAY - JUNE
| When the plains begin to dry up around May, the wildebeest, together with other animals begin the long track westwards or northwards towards Seronera/Grumeti/Kirawira and Lake Victoria for permanent waters. A strategic base to watch the start of the wildebeest migration is Ndutu (altitude 1500 metres). |
JULY - OCTOBER
| Masai Mara around the Mara and Sand River |
| Game Drive: North of Seronera and around Lobo. Principal staging post is Lobo. |
NOVEMBER
| As rains approach, herds leave western Serengeti corridor and moving south to the short grass plains between Seronera and Ngorongoro. |
MIGRATION TRAIL
(Summary through the year)
Period: Area
| December - May: Ndutu & Naabi Gate (entrance to Serengeti) |
| May: the trek starts |
| June: move via Seronera |
| July: up in the north, near Mara (Kenya) |
| August - October: Masai Mara |
| November: Seronera, Ngorongoro |
| November - December: Ndutu |
It must be understood that the migrating wildlife moves in search of water and pasture. Due to the changing world climate and factors such as the El-Nino phenomenon, this "man proposed schedule" is only a guestimate!
